A philosopher is, no doubt, entitled to examine even those distinctions that are to be found in the structure of all languages... in that case, such a distinction may be imputed to a vulgar error, which ought to be corrected in philosophy.
More Quotes from Thomas Reid:
When, therefore, in common language, we speak of having an idea of anything, we mean no more by that expression, but thinking of it.Thomas Reid
This is the philosophical meaning of the word idea and we may observe that this meaning of that word is built upon a philosophical opinion for, if philosophers had not believed that there are such immediate objects of all our thoughts in the mind, they would never have used the word idea to express them.
Thomas Reid
If no other test or measure of the strength of motives can be found but their prevailing, then this boasted principle will be only an identical proposition, and signify only that the strongest motive is the strongest motive, and the motive that prevails is the motive that prevails -which proves nothing.
Thomas Reid
It is the invaluable merit of the great Basle mathematician Leonard Euler, to have freed the analytical calculus from all geometric bounds, and thus to have established analysis as an independent science, which from his time on has maintained an unchallenged leadership in the field of mathematics.
Thomas Reid
Every indication of wisdom, taken from the effect, is equally an indication of power to execute what wisdom planned.
Thomas Reid
But when, in the first setting out, he takes it for granted without proof, that distinctions found in the structure of all languages, have no foundation in nature; this surely is too fastidious a way of treating the common sense of mankind.
Thomas Reid
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Based on Topics: Doubt & Skepticism Quotes, Error & Mistake Quotes, Language Quotes, Philosophy QuotesBased on Keywords: corrected, imputed, philosopher
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